The microstructures and the hydrogen sorption performances of TiFe0.8Mn0.2Cox (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) and TiFe0.8Mn0.2-yCoy (y = 0.05, 0.10) alloys have been investigated. For TiFe0.8Mn0.2Cox alloys, the lattice parameters of TiFe phase decreased and the Laves phase contents increased with the addition of Co. With the increase of Co content in TiFe0.8Mn0.2Cox alloys, the maximum hydrogen storage capacities of TiFe0.8Mn0.2Co0.05 and TiFe0.8Mn0.2Co0.10 to alloys decreased, but the effective hydrogen capacities increased, which is ascribed to the improved flatness of the alpha-beta desorption plateau. Substitution of Co for Mn in TiFe0.8Mn0.2-yCOy alloys can effectively lead to single phase of TiFe alloys. Therefore, TiFe0.8Mn0.2-yCOy alloy showed a deteriorated activation property, but its effective hydrogen capacity increased remarkably due to the obviously improved flatness of the alpha-beta desorption plateau. The addition of Co might adjust the change of the octahedral intersitial environ- ment caused by Mn doping in TiFe phase, which contributes to the improved flatness of the alpha-beta desorption plateau and hence the increased effective hydrogen capacity. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.